VANCOUVER REGIONAL FREENET ASSOCIATION STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
OF MEETING May 18, 1993 Vancouver Public Library
PRESENT Brian Campbell (chair), Sandy Mayo, Susan Pendakur, Derek
Dowden, Jacqueline van Dyk, Greg Bus, Mark Gendron, Larry Kuehn,
Bill Andrews, Ian Theaker (observer), Ian Wijesinghe (observer)
AGENDA The agenda was adopted.
INTRODUCTIONS Those present introduced themselves. Brian
reported that Stuart Herzog has resigned as chair of the
Fundraising Committee.
MINUTES The minutes of the May 11, 1993, Steering Committee
meeting were adopted.
TERMS OF REFERENCE & TIMELINES In order to make these minutes
simpler, the conclusions set out below are organized by
committee, rather than being presented chronologically.
Fundraising Committee Brian reported that Greg has become the
chair of the Fundraising Committee. Greg gave a brief report.
The Committee will prepare a "case statement" outlining the case
for funders to support FreeNet. It does not yet have written
terms of reference, but it was agreed that its key focus is on
raising money, equipment and software. The Committee's meetings
are on Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m.
Public Relations Committee Mark presented draft terms of
reference for the Committee. Discussion of these led into
discussion of the terms of reference of the other committees, and
the terms of reference of the Public Relations Committee were
revisited later. The Committee's terms of reference were
approved as amended. Attached.
Community/Content Committee Derek presented draft terms of
reference for the Committee. There was a lengthy discussion, the
outcome of which is reflected in revised terms of reference,
which were approved. Attached. The Committee's targets are to
sign up 75 potential information providers by August, 1993, and
to have 150 information providers signed up or on-line by
December 1, 1993.
Hardware/Software Committee Jacqueline presented draft terms of
reference for the Committee. Approved as amended. Attached.
System Design Committee Jacqueline also presented draft terms of
reference for this Committee. Approved as amended. Attached.
Membership Committee Susan is the chair of this new Committee.
It does not yet have written terms of reference. It is focusing
on preparing a database of members and potential volunteers and
preparing for the June 10 Annual Meeting. It was agreed that the
committee's focus will be on human resources generally, rather
than being exclusively restricted to members.
Nominations Committee Sandy is the chair of the Nominations
Committee, which is putting together nominations for the Board of
Directors for the June 10 meeting. Other members of the
committee are Brian and Jacqueline. A nomination form has been
prepared and was distributed. Nominations must be submitted to
Sandy by June 7 (although nominations can also be made from the
floor of the annual meeting.) It was agreed that there is an
expectation that members at large on the Board will take an
active role on one or more committees. Nominations for Vice-
President, Secretary and Treasurer would be especially welcome.
Minutes and Committee Information It was agreed that minutes of
Steering Committee meetings will be posted to Sandy's BBS (if
Bill can manage such a gigantic technical leap forward) before
they are approved at the next Steering Committee meeting.
Committee chairs will be responsible for posting information on
their committee's activities and upcoming meetings. There was a
discussion about mailing lists, the conclusion of which was that
each committee would keep whatever lists it needs for its own
purposes and that we would endeavour in the future to work toward
a common format. It was agreed that mailing lists are not public
information.
OTHER MATTERS Committee reports, strategic and policy issues,
constitutional update and AGM were tabled until the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Steering Committee will be
on Tuesday, May 25, 1993, at 7:30 p.m., at the Vancouver Public
Library. The meeting was adjourned.
VANCOUVER REGIONAL FREENET ASSOCIATION STANDING COMMITTEES TERMS
OF REFERENCE APPROVED BY STEERING COMMITTEE MAY 18, 1993
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE COMMITTEE Under the direction of the Board of
Directors, the Hardware/Software Committee will participate in,
and make recommendations to the Board regarding, the development
and implementation of the Vancouver Regional FreeNet. For the
system requirements, configuration and specifications, the
Committee will work with the System Design Committee. During the
design and implementation phase, the committee will work with the
System Design Committee to: * evaluate, obtain, install
and develop FreeNet software,
including operating system; * identify, acquire
and install appropriate hardware software
and communications network
(making recommendations to the Board for final
decisions); * develop site specifications for the housing
and operation
of the computer system and
communications network; * develop and implement the
online user interface; * develop facilities and procedures
for loading and updating
data from information providers (in conjunction with
the
Community/Content Committee); * develop
and implement procedures for the ongoing operation
maintenance and support of the FreeNet community
computer
utility. During the operations phase, the
committee's mandate is to: * undertake system
adjustment/refinement/correction and
future development regarding hardware, software and
telecommunications; and * work with
other FreeNets on hardware and software
development.
SYSTEM DESIGN COMMITTEE Under the direction of the Board of
Directors, the System Design Committee will participate in the
design and implementation of the Vancouver Regional FreeNet. For
the design of user interfaces, dataload functionality and overall
menu structure, the Committee will consult with Community/Content
Committee. During the design and implementation phase the
Committee will work with the Hardware/Software Committee to: *
develop the system requirements; * develop the system
design; * design, test and revise the online user
interface; * identify, develop and implement appropriate
user support
facilities; and * decide (or make recommendations
to the Board where
appropriate) on features and prioritize
development of services and the features set. During
the operational phase, the Committee will: * undertake
adjustment/refinement/correction and future
development of system design, and * work with
other FreeNets on system design development.
COMMUNITY/CONTENT COMMITTEE Under the direction of the Board of
Directors, the Community/Content Committee's terms of reference
are to: * locate, recruit, train and develop potential
information
providers for FreeNet; * fairly reflect the
diversity of the community on FreeNet
with special emphasis on ensuring the participation of
minority, marginal, and disenfranchised
voices; * design a system for the
planned ongoing growth of FreeNet's
content; * provide design specifications to the
System Design
Committee regarding the organizational and menu
structure
and metaphors for FreeNet's content; and * to
ensure the development of timely, relevant, interesting
and balanced content on FreeNet.
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE Under the direction of the Board of
Directors, the mandate of the Public Relations Committee is to: *
coordinate and release information about the FreeNet to the
general public, media, and other interested parties; *
educate the public regarding the role, use, function and
potential of FreeNet; * provide user support and
training; * gather and coordinate public relations
materials from the
VRFA standing committees and Board of Directors; and *
establish and maintain contacts with the widest possible
array of news media.